The Power of Persistent Prayer in Transforming Your Life
Have you ever felt like your prayers are hitting a brick wall? Or maybe you've given up on prayer altogether because it seems like nothing's happening? I've got good news for you – it's time to PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens!
As a pastor and a parent, I've learned a thing or two about persistence. Just the other day, I watched my almost-three-year-old son Wyatt pray over his dinner. He opened his eyes between each item he thanked God for, making sure he didn't miss anything – even his fork! It was adorable, but it also reminded me of an important truth about prayer that Jesus taught His disciples.
The Midnight Bread Run
In Luke chapter 11, Jesus tells a story about a man who goes to his friend's house at midnight to borrow some bread. Now, you might be thinking, "Who needs bread at midnight?" But in Jesus' time, it was common for people to travel at night to avoid the heat of the day. When guests arrived, it was customary to offer them food as a sign of hospitality.
Jesus continues the story: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. And you say to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit and I have nothing for him to eat.' And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, 'Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can't help you’" (Luke 11:5-7).
Now, imagine waking up your entire family just to get some bread for a neighbor. It's no wonder the friend initially refuses! But here's where it gets interesting.
The Power of Shameless Persistence
Jesus goes on to say, "But I tell you this—though he won't do it for friendship's sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence" (Luke 11:8).
This reminds me of a story from my college days. My husband Jake, an extrovert and night owl, would often get late-night cravings for Whataburger's honey butter chicken biscuits. He'd wake up his roommate Jonathan, saying, "Jonathan, wake up, we have to go get a honey butter chicken biscuit... for friendship and memories!" His persistence usually worked, and they'd end up making some great memories (while I was sleeping, of course).
Keep Asking, Seeking, and Knocking
Jesus uses this story to teach us about prayer. He says, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened" (Luke 11:9-10).
In other words, Jesus is telling us to PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens. But here's the thing: our prayers should be more than just a list of needs. When we persistently engage with God in prayer, something amazing happens. As Adam Clarke, a Biblical scholar, suggests, this persistence in prayer "may be necessary to get ourselves brought into a proper disposition."
Transforming Our Hearts and Minds
You see, when we persistently pray, our hearts begin to align with God's heart. Our thoughts start to transform, and we begin to see life from a fresh perspective. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
The Good Gift of the Holy Spirit
Jesus concludes His teaching on prayer with a powerful reminder of God's goodness. He says, "You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:11-13).
This is a promise we can hold onto – when we persistently seek God in prayer, He gives us the ultimate helper, the Holy Spirit.
Putting It Into Practice: How to PUSH in Prayer
So how can we apply this teaching to our lives? Here are some practical ways to PUSH in prayer:
1. Pray differently: Instead of just listing your needs, ask God to shape your heart like His and transform your thinking.
2. Join a Bible reading plan: Our church has a 90-day "Jesus Through Us" reading plan that can help you engage with God's Word daily.
3. Seek support: Text "care" to 97000 if you need prayer support from our church team.
4. Remember the Holy Spirit: As you pray, be aware of the good gift of the Holy Spirit, your helper in prayer.
Don't settle for less in your prayer life. It's time to shamelessly pursue God through persistent prayer. Who knows? You might just find your heart and mind transformed in ways you never imagined. So go ahead – PUSH!